Artificial limb



No Model.) 7 I J. H. KING. ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

I No. 595,634. 'PatentedDec. 14,1897.

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"UNITED STATES JAMES H. KING, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,634, dated December- 14, 1897. Application filed February 27, 1897. Serial No. 625,248. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JAMES H. KING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Artificial Limbs; and

I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as Will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in artificial limbs, and has more particular relation to artificial legs having movable joints.

The invention consists of certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, all of which will be hereinafter more particularly set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 represents a perspective view, partly in section, of a device embodying my invention applied in position on the rearwardly-extending limb; and Fig. 2 represents a similar view with this limb in the advanced position of walking with the toe tipped downward.

In the drawings, 1 represents the attachingsleeve; 2, the leg proper; 3, the pivoted foot; 4 4, the operating-rods, and 5 the joints between the attaching-sleeve and the leg portion. Said attaching-sleeve 1 may be constructed of any desired material and is preferably slit, as at 6, and provided with lacing-apertures 7 ,whereby it may be secured in position upon the amputated limb. This sleeve is provided upon diametrically opposite sides with pendent hinged members 8 8, each of which is formed upon diametrically opposite sides with apertured lugs 9,and at its lower end with an apertured head 10. Said heads are pivot-ally secured to similar heads 11, formed upon arms 12,secured to the leg portion 2 by pivot-pins 13. The foot portion 3, which may be of any dosirable structure, is pivotally secured to the leg portion 2 at 14:, so as to permit the desired ankle movement. The connecting-rods 4 4 are secured at their upper ends to the apertured lugs 9 and at their lower ends. to the opposite sides of the bottom of the foot portion to each side of the pivot 14:. The lower ends of said rods t are surrounded by coilsprings 15, the upper ends of which engage the lower ends of the leg portion 2, while the lower ends press against the foot portion 3. It will thus be observed that the tension exerted by said springs upon the opposite sides of the pivot-point 14 will normally hold the foot 3 at right angles to the leg portion 2. When the amputated limb is advanced, the operation of the joint 5 will cause the connecting-rods 4: to tip the foot so that it will strike the ground firmly with the toe depressed, whereas the reverse movement of the limb will cause the toe to be raised, so that in swinging forward for the next succeeding step said toe will clear all slight obstacles upon the pavement.

It will also be observed that a perfectly natural movement of the foot is secured by the pivotal connection of the knee-joint 5. Further, the foot is moved while passingthrough the air, as the tension of the springs, in combination with the relaxing action of the rods 4, permits the foot to assume its normal position as it swings forward. The action of each of the springs 15 also prevents any shaking movement of the foot and holds the same firmly in position and prevents any accidental rattling. By the peculiar mounting of the springs I also secure elasticity for the foot and prevent the same from slipping when placed upon the ground.

By the employment of my invention a per son is enabled to walk with all the movements of a perfect limb and altogether avoid any limping or artificial stiffness of the foot and ankle.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In an artificial limb,the combination with an attaching-sleeve, of a leg pivotally connected to the same, a foot pivotally mounted on said leg, independent springs applied upon each side of the pivot-point of the leg and foot portions so that their respective opposite ends engage the bottom of said leg portion and the top of said foot portion, thus holding the latter normally at right angles to the leg portion, and means connecting the attaching portion to the foot for tipping it either one way or the other against the tension of the springs upon the movement of the knee'joint, substantially as described.

2. In an artificial limb,the combination with an attaching-sleeve, of a leg pivotally mounted upon the same, a foot pivotally mounted upon said leg, and a plurality of rods pivotally connected to the attaching portion just above its pivot-point and to the foot portion upon opposite sides of the pivot-point of the latter so that the movement of the knee-joint will tip said foot back and forth, substantially as described.

3. In an artificial limb,the combination with an attaching-sleeve, of a leg hinged thereto, a foot pivoted on said leg, springs for normally holding said foot at right angles to the leg portion, and rods connecting said attaching-sleeve with said foot whereby the latter is tipped upon the movement of the kneejoint, substantially as described.

4. In an artificial limb,the combination with an attaching-sleeve, of hinge-arms pendent from the same, a leg portion, hingearms mounted on the same and pivotally connected to the first-mentioned arms, a foot pivotally mounted on the leg portion, and a plurality ofrods connected respectively to the hingearms of the attaching-sleeve and the pivoted foot, substantially as described.

5. In an artificial limb,the combination with an attaching-sleeve, of hinge-arms pendent from the same, a leg portion, hinge arms mounted on the same and pivotally connected to the first-mentioned arms, a foot pivotally mounted on the leg portion, a plurality of rods connecting the attaching-sleeve and the foot portion upon opposite sides of the pivot-point of the latter, so that the movement of the knee-joint will tip said foot, and coil-springs surrounding said rods and adapted to bear against the under side of the leg portion and said foot to hold the latter normally in a horizontal position, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES H. KING.

\Vitnesses:

A. P. SUPPLEE, W. A. JOHNSTON. 

